We are thankful to have so many different voices supporting this campaign. If you are interested in providing a statement of support, please click here to contact us.
I am proud to endorse Mat Erpelding. Mat is a driven and proven leader whose skills and experience will benefit District 19 and Idaho. He has worked tirelessly to advance our progressive values, promote economic development, and bring political change to Idaho. He will be an articulate advocate for protecting our quality of life, strengthening our schools, and rejuvenating our economy.
- Representative Brian Cronin
I have worked with Mat Erpelding throughout the 2012 legislative session and have found him to be ethical, competent and talented. His leadership behind the scenes has been a tremendous help to our caucus.
- House Minority Leader John Rusche
I am proud to endorse Mat Erpelding for House Seat A in District 19. He will make a fine legislator and represent the people of District 19 with energy and commitment.
Mat is an educator, small-business owner, strong conservationist, and a committed Democrat. I was impressed by his enthusiasm, intelligence, and political skill when we worked together this year on the Idaho Democrats IJOBs job creation package. His ideas and talent resulted in an extraordinary package of bills.
As an educator, Mat understands the critical education issues that we face, will oppose the Luna laws, and fight for school reform that values learning. His environmental background will make him an asset as we fight for environmental protection in Idaho. And his legislative experience will allow him to hit the ground running.
I am looking forward to working with Mat Erpelding and I know that he will be a valuable addition to the legislature as a representative of District 19 and the great state of Idaho.
-Senator Elliot Werk
I’m endorsing Mat because now, more than ever, we need leaders at the Statehouse willing to address pressing issues and prepare our state for the future. Mat is a proven leader with skills honed through years of teaching and guiding people through difficult pursuits. Mat’s policy experience and communication skills prepare him well to be an active and contributing leader in both in the Democratic caucus and the legislature.
Mat understands what Idaho must do to prepare itself for the future, be able to compete with our neighbors, and provide economic opportunity to residents. He knows that to do this, we must have fully-funded schools, protect our unrivaled quality of life, and invest in well-paying jobs and technologies of the future. He will be a strong voice for these and many other issues dear to voters in D 19, and I urge you to support him in the Democratic primary on Tuesday May 15th.
-Councilwoman Lauren McLean
I support Mat Erpelding for District 19 House Seat A. Mat is the leader who will focus on building a strong education system, responsible economic growth, protecting Idaho’s precious environment, and working towards human rights equality. His ability to understand the important challenges facing struggling Idaho families, his ability to work with Representatives to build solutions to complicated problems, and his determination to fight for Idaho Democratic values makes Mat the perfect kind of person we want representing District 19 and Idaho in the Legislature.
- Chief of Staff for the Idaho House Minority - Morgan Hill Jr
I am proud to endorse Mat Erpelding for House Seat A in District 19. As the policy aide to Representative Brian Cronin during the 2012 session, Mat has the experience necessary to be an effective leader. Mat will act as a steward for progressive legislation, and has the tenacity required by any Democrat in the Idaho Legislature. Mat has been working to build the party behind-the-scenes for several years, and understands that in Idaho, building a strong Democratic party outside of Ada County is essential. Mat has a breadth and depth of leadership experience that will be beneficial to District 19 and to all of Idaho.
-Former District 19 Senator – Sue Reents
When I ran for office in 1974, no Democrat had been elected in Ada County since 1936. Since that time, many other Democrats have been elected. Mat Erpelding has worked hard to support our current Democratic legislators, and I recommend him for District 19 House Seat A.
-Former District 19 Senator Ron J. Twilegar
Mat Erpelding has my support for the District 19 House (seat A). Of the 3 candidates, he is the clear choice. Mat has been in the trenches building consensus as a creative and thoughtful policy aid to Democratic Legislators, supporting our Democratic values as the hardworking Vice Chair of the Ada County Democrats, engaging in conservation issues as an Idaho outdoorsman and environmental educator, developing our future teachers as faculty at CWI, and growing a small business. He will “hit-the-ground running” with no learning curve, at ”home” in a process that often takes at least a session to become effective and to be of consequence. Mat will improve the democracy we love.
-Former District 19 Senator Gail Bray
Mat was extremely instrumental in researching and preparing the template for the Agriculture Value Added Legislation that received outstanding support from industry and others. With Mat’s assistance Representative Donna Pence and I were able to develop a near perfect bill that passed the Revenue and Tax Committee and received a 62-6 vote in the House of Representatives. Mat is an individual with foresight and the ability to take a project to completion.
-Representative Roy Lacey
IPEA endorses Mat Erpelding for District 19, Rep A. We were impressed with Mat’s knowledge of the legislative process, and with his experience developing policy. He will be a great advocate for Idaho working people and for public employees. Mat has a primary challenger, so please vote for Mat in the Democratic primary on May 15!
-Idaho Public Employees Association
Mat is an exceptional leader and social justice activist. I have worked first-hand with him on issues of social justice and leadership in education. His charismatic teaching style and investment in his students creates a learning environment that promotes introspection and personal growth. Mat consistently shares innovative teaching materials with me that I have used in my gender studies class and staff training modules. He currently teaches a personal health class and introduced his students to the concepts of power and privilege and how they relate to the larger framework of health care. Mat advocates for equality for all people, in all settings. He understands how issues in education, the economy, the environment, and equal rights all intersect and impact each other. He is an integrative thinker and sees the big picture. With all his knowledge, Mat is also someone who gets things done. Mat will make an excellent legislator who will fight for our rights and a better quality of life in Idaho.
-Educator and former Women’s Center Coordinator, Melissa Wintrow
Now more than ever we need a strong voice for conservation and education in our legislature. Mat Erpelding is that voice. Vote for him on May 15, 2012.
- Beth and Jonathan Oppenheimer
I am thrilled that Mat Erpelding is running for the Idaho legislature. He cares deeply about Idaho’s people and our cherished environment. Mat is intelligent, intuitive, and an outstanding leader.
His leadership qualities, and positive energy are desperately needed in public office these days. He has my wholehearted support.”
Former Board President for the Snake River Alliance - Katherine Daly
Mat Erpelding is a visionary leader who possesses the necessary creative thinking and policy understanding to be a great advocate for the state of Idaho. As an educator, he creates integrative learning experiences focused on holistic student development. We need Mat Erpelding in government to move this country forward. Education is our future!
Current Vice President of the Wilderness Education Association - Christopher Pelchat, Ph.D
I met Mat Erpelding when he ran for the Ada County Democrats Vice-Chairman Position, and I have observed him closely. He is an energetic, intelligent, and forceful young man who cares about people and Idahoans. He listens well to everyone before he takes a stand, and he acts upon solid principles. When elected to the House District 19, Seat A, he will bring a studied approach to the issues before the legislature, doing his homework and working well in committee. Matt will stand up for human rights, health access issues, and strong economic measures to help all Idaho obtain new jobs in high-paying jobs. His support for public education is admirable, and his concern for financially responsible tax policy will be welcomed by all his constituents. I’m proud to recommend Mat for the House.
-William J. Bonner
I am excited to endorse Mat Erpelding for District 19 Seat A. Mat will bring great energy and dedication to the legislature as he fights to build a more robust public education system, improve human rights in Idaho, and increase transparency in government. His experience working directly with legislators to help them craft legislation, including bills that will be reintroduced in 2013, will help him be immediately effective once he is elected to the House. Mat is a hard worker who will stand up for all of us against the onslaught of radical right wing intrusion into our lives. A vote for Mat is a vote for smart progressive values in Idaho.
-Community Activist Cindy Gross
I first met Mat while I was leading a young talented group of leaders here in Boise. I sought out Mat to help me galvanize the team, set clear priorities to move the site forward. What impressed me about Mat was his ability to listen all individuals, to determine each unique opportunity, and to develop a learning environment to speak to each area. As a candidate, Mat brings to the table a strong passion for education, equal rights, and a sensible approach to consensus building. We have critical issues facing our community and we need sensible leaders to guide us through the tough decisions – Mat is that leader.
-Leehla M. Huerta
Mat Erpelding not only understands the critical issues facing Idaho today but lives and works every day as an educator, small business owner, mountain guide and political activist. He truly walks the walk. I wholeheartedly support Mat and believe that he would be an outstanding leader in the House of representatives. Mat can and will help to move Idaho in the right direction!
-Hidden Springs Town Council Member Jack Rahmann
I am happy to endorse Mat Erpelding for District 19, House Seat A. His experience working alongside strong leaders like Representative Buckner-Webb and Representative Cronin is so important as we enter our next legislative session. We have an opportunity to make a difference in Idaho in the next 2 years; and I am confident Mat can help us do that.
-Small Business Owner Karen Meyer
Mat is uniquely suited to represent District 19 in the Idaho House of Representatives, based on his knowledge and comprehension of the challenges that confront proponents of progressive values in Idaho. As a qualified candidate must, Mat understands that no legislation can be passed or defeated, and no battle won or lost, without statewide support and coordination. I believe that Mat has the strategic foresight and cooperative outlook to both strengthen the support for those progressive values within District 19, but also to help build support in other areas throughout the state.
Mat’s well-rounded attention to the totality of the issues confronting our legislature demonstrates his ability to lead Idaho forward in all respects, without sacrificing any values along the way. His proven leadership, combined with his commitment to the principles of the people of District 19, guarantees a powerful and respected voice in the Idaho legislature. I look forward to his guidance in seeking a future for Idaho that District 19 will be proud of.
-Attorney Thomas J. Lloyd III
